Determined To Succeed

What continues to motivate me? The 3 that begins my waist line not the 5 it used to be (my waist was a 58 – almost 5 feet around). My (knock on wood) continued better health.

As you can imagine I now feel spectacular! I no longer take blood pressure meds. My knees don’t hurt walking up stairs or sitting in movie theaters. Heck, I fit better into movie theater seats now. I no longer wear a sleep apnea mask. I no longer get looks of disgust from people on planes or in restaurants. I have so much more energy. And I LOVE being able to spend less money on “normal sized” clothes! It was thrilling to realize I had shrunk out of the Big & Tall world even in gloves, shoes and socks. I also became happier inside myself.

These are keys that help keep me motivated.  I exercise at least five days a week (at least 1/2 hour on the elliptical, weights, crunches and steam room each time) and try to eat better on a regular basis. Don’t get me wrong I still eat any and every food I want to. It’s just I have bad foods only in moderation and as treats not a daily part of my overall diet. I am constantly determined to be smarter about food choices, too.  Some days are harder than others. I’m a stress and emotional eater (I am human, after all) but now I am more aware of WHAT I am doing and HOW I am feeling so I can back away and say “no.” There are plenty of days I don’t want to work out, too, but I do because I know I am worth that work.

What are the constant keys to my success? – There are six actually.

TELL EVERYONE! I know you might feel embarrassed, but you’ll have a support system amongst friends and a way to hold yourself more accountable than if you keep it a secret.

WHEN YOU CAN, PURGE YOUR “FAT CLOTHES.” Doing this gives you no way back to being larger, and shopping is one of those rewards you get when you shrink.

BE FORGIVING OF YOURSELF. Do not beat yourself up over how you got to be the weight you are. That is in the past. When you begin your weight loss journey, that is your starting line. That is DAY ONE. Beating yourself up is negative energy you don’t need. And o.k., so along your journey you lose ten but gain back four or five. THAT STILL MEANS YOU LOST FIVE!!! You’ll learn what foods and exercise work and don’t work with your body during this process, so forgive yourself and know you will eventually accomplish your goals.

USE WHAT YOU HAVE AVAILABLE TO YOU. You can begin increasing your activity right now using what you have around you  – legs, sugar, stairs and bed. Your legs don’t need a treadmill, just start by walking. It’s great exercise. Using a 5 lb. bag of sugar or canned goods in a bag as weights is a great way to begin toning. Stairs are a great Stairmaster so use ‘em. Do as many reps as you can (of course after getting your doctor’s OK on your activity level). And you can always do sit-ups or tummy crunches in bed if your floor is uncomfortable.

KNOW THIS WILL TAKE TIME: As Hal Holbrook said in WALL STREET, “Good things, sometimes, take time.” Sustained weight loss and maintenance will happen when you make eating better and exercising part of your every day life. They will be a part of my life for the rest of my life.

YOU ARE WORTH IT SO MAKE THE TIME. Make regular time for some form of exercise (walking, climbing stairs, or doing five or ten sit-ups to increase activity). You are so worth this effort and work, and you are so worth the rewards you will see on your journey. We tend to make time for other things and other people in today’s world. But now it’s time to spend that energy on yourself and put you, your health and your happiness first – possibly for the first time in your life.

Another key to my success is by telling everyone on my website, www.determinedtosucceed.com, what my weight is every day. I am accountable for what foods I choose to eat. I am. And if I can’t say “hey, I’m human,” what good would I be in trying to help others? That accountability keeps me honest and helps keep me going.

I still face setbacks and always will. Sometimes I eat things I shouldn’t or eat too much. It happens. But failure only happens if we let it happen and let it keep us down. When my mom died I gained 20 lbs back from grief eating. I am human and my weight goes up and back by a few pounds because of life. But I let my setbacks fuel my drive and determination to get right back up and keep going.

Click here for Chapter Four:  “QUICK TIPS” on HOW TO BURN FAT, FEEL LESS HUNGRY & LOSE WEIGHT